LHAS Outing Saturday, 13 November 2021

Seven chapter members searched the Gavin's Point Dam area for birds. Conditions were cool, overcast and breezy.

Highlights were:

• White-winged Scoter, 4, from South Shore RA.

• Black Scoter, 2, from the middle pullout on dam

• Long-tailed Duck, 1 juvenile, west of the marina.

• Common Loon, 3 basic plumaged, from middle and south pullouts.

• Thayer's/ Iceland Gull, 1 juvenile, below power plant.

• Herring Gull, 1 juvenile, below power plant.

• Bonaparte's Gull, 2, below power plant.

• And an immature Bald Eagle chasing a lone Snow Goose from above the dam to somewhere above Lake Yankton. Later, we saw a lone Snow Goose on Lake Yankton, so the chase was probably unsuccessful.

Bill H., LHAS Outings Coordinator

LHAS Outing Saturday, 16 October 2021

Ten adventurers gathered on a cool, color-filled October morning to explore Little Sioux Park, south of Correctionville, IA, and the Union Bridge Trail. One group ventured north walking the flat, paved trail from the park to Correctionville and investigated the habitats surrounding the public and private ponds along the west side of the trail. The Little Sioux River flows along the east side of the trail but remains partially obscured by colorful foliage.

A smaller group first looked for birds within the park around the swimming lake, the Trumpeter Swan enclosure, prairie plot and picnic areas. A surprisingly large number of campers were within the park this morning. This group of birders then drove to the Union Bridge trail head in Correctionville and walked south to eventually meet and compare sightings with the group of long-distance migrants coming north along the trail.

Both groups found pockets of birds. Best sightings were Bald Eagle, Osprey, Eastern Towhee and a very cooperative Double-crested Cormorant who seemed to enjoy posing for photos. There were a large number of very active sparrows below Union Bridge along the shores of the Little Sioux.

The adventure perhaps concluded a little early. Other birding options included the unpaved trails around the park or a side trip to Shagbark Hills. But a few adventurers needed to be in Ida Grove for the 46th Annual Schleswig Wine and Bier Club’s competition. John and Sharon P. were awarded a blue ribbon for a homemade wine and Bill and Dotty Z. received a blue ribbon for a Kolsch beer. Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who participated and to everyone who contributed photos and sightings for this report. Our next outing is Saturday, 13 November to Gavin’s Point Dam. Hope to see you there!

Reported by Randy W. and Jerry V.

Total:  32 species

All above images copyright 2021 the respective photographers as listed below, used with permission.

Marla Kerr

• Trail to the bridge

• Sparrow ID challenge from Union Bridge

• Fall foliage

Jan Null

• Arrival

• Cedar Waxwings

• American Robin

• Northern Flickers

• Park pond for swimming, fishing and the swans

• Trumpeter Swans in their enclosure

• North end of Union Bridge

• Bald Eagle

• South end of Union Bridge

• Audubon Adventurers!

• Osprey

Randall D. Williams

• Little Sioux Park trail head

• Bench at the first pond

• Double-crested Cormorant

• Double-crested Cormorant

• Double-crested Cormorant

• Private pond along Union Bridge trail

• Harris’s Sparrow

• Rest area near the south end of the bridge

• Correctionville trail head

LHAS Outing Saturday, 25 September 2021

Eleven Chapter members started out this beautiful Fall morning bound for Union Grove State Park in Union County, SD. The morning started quite cool but soon warmed to pleasant temperatures as the group explored the bridle trails on the east end of the park. Birds were not plentiful but the group found several newly arrived Red-breasted Nuthatches and Ruby-crowned Kinglets and the season’s first Yellow-rumped Warblers and Dark-eyed Juncos. Southbound Blue Jays were overhead much of the time.

Birding along Brule Creek later in the morning, the party found birds even more scarce. However, this time was highlighted by a hike to the old mill dam, a first of Fall Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk overhead and a chance meeting with Dr. Dave Swanson, Director of USD’s Missouri River Institute. Although one of South Dakota’s top birders, Dave unfortunately had no spectacular find that morning to share with us.

Our picnic lunch/ hawk watch resulted in few flyovers and nothing topping the Krider’s Red-tail Hawk overhead earlier.

After lunch much of the party departed for home, but six of us travelled west to Spirit Mound State Historic Prairie to view the prominence detailed in Lewis and Clark’s journals. Temperatures had warmed considerably by our visit, the small stream had run dry this summer and the migrating grassland sparrows and wrens were in short supply. However, the trail and prairie flowers are always inviting and tranquil, and our time was well spent.

October’s outing will be a trip to Woodbury County’s Little Sioux Park on Saturday, the 16th. Meet our group at the Singing Hills Walmart parking lot (NW corner) at 7:00 am. Bring a picnic lunch and beverages to enjoy at the park. All LHAS outings are open to the public and offer an inviting way to begin birding and meet others with similar interests.

Totals: 27 species (Krider’s is counted with Red-tailed Hawk). Species in bold were seen en route to Union Grove, Spirit Mound or home.

All below images copyright 2021 for the respective photographer, all used with permission.

Marla Kerr

• Along the equestrian trail at Union Grove

• Find the bird!

• Spirit Mound trail head

Jan Null

• Philadelphia Vireo for the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center collection

• Philadelphia Vireo identification pointers

• Red-breasted Nuthatch at Union Grove

• Red-breasted Nuthatch, closer view

• Dotty (left) and Anne

• Our group on the trail

• Jerry (left) and Randy

• Lunch break at Union Grove

• White-breasted Nuthatch up close

• White-breasted Nuthatch

• Orange-crowned Warbler

• Spirit Mound and fall bloomers

• Back from the summit

• Area barn

Randall D. Williams

• Arrival at Union Grove

• The hunt begins!

• On the equestrian trail

• Trail branch

• Down by Brule Creek

• Mill remains along Brule Creek

• Creekside

• Spirit Mound

• Beginning the trail

• Looking for prairie birds

LHAS Outing Saturday, 21 August 2021

Thirteen participants travelled northward to Blue Mounds State Park and Touch the Sky Prairie near Luverne, MN on Saturday, August 21.  This area is known for its Sioux quartzite outcroppings and the prairies that cling to the thin, rocky soil. Touch the Sky Prairie features a prairie waterfall accessible by hiking.

The group was very impressed with the unique landform, geology and prairies. The underlying quartzite which breaks the surface as outcroppings has prevented the area from being cultivated. Therefore, the undisturbed native prairie remains and now hosts re-introduced Bison, numbering in excess of 200. A return trip some May or June would reveal the bird species traveling through or nesting in this prairie that were silent and inconspicuous during our visit.

8-21-2021 Birds — Blue Mounds State Park and Touch the Sky Prairie — 31 species. Species seen en route are in bold.

Although our bird list was quite short due to thick foliage and windy conditions, our resident botanists Bill Zales and Brian Hazlett were able to point out the flora present and explain the differences from our Loess Hills prairie flora. See the list below for the numerous differences.

The non-Loess Hills prairie plants observed at Blue Mounds State Park and Touch The Sky National Wildlife Refuge prairies:

• Grass-leaved goldenrod. Solidago graminifolia

• Prairie blazing star. Liatris pycnostachya

• White gentian. Gentians alba

• Plains prickly pear. Opuntia macrorhiza

• Brittle prickly pear. Opuntia fragilis

• Mountain mint. Pycnanthemum virgianum

• Prairie onion. Allium stellatum

Some other prairie species seen that also occur in the rare native grasslands around Sioux City:
Golden Alexanders, Round-headed bush clover, Curly cup gum weed, Blue vervain, Creeping vervain, Hoary vervain, Scouring rush, Partridge pea, Queen Anne’s lace, Purple coneflower, Stiff prairie sunflower, Tick-trefoil, Tall pale prairie cinquefoil, Alumroot, Common arrowhead, and lots of Big bluestem, Side-oats grama and Indian grass.

Reported by Bill Huser

All below slide show images copyright 2021 by the respective photographers listed below, used with permission.

Map of our destinations

Maria Rundquist

• Exploring the field

• Bill H. and Bill Z.

• Watching the climbers.

• Maria & Rex

Jan Null

• Northern Flicker

• Bridge over Mound Creek

• Looking for more birds

• Northern Harrier

• Exploring the Sioux Quartzite

• Plant identification in the quartzite

• The next move?

• A new discovery

• Red-sided Garter Snake

• Prairie Blazing Star

• Goldenrod

• Prairie Blazing Star

• Goldenrod and Common Milkweed

• Queen Anne’s Lace (Wild Carrot)

• Bison herd 1

• Bison herd 2

• Bison herd 3

Randall D. Williams

• Starting the walk

• “It was there a second ago … !”

• Mound Creek, looking upstream from the bridge

• Mound Creek, looking downstream from the bridge

• Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

• Eagle Rock Vista with Luverne, MN in the distance

• Eagle Rock Vista 2

• Prickly pear cactus in the quartzite

• Gathering in the shade

• Frederick Manfred house information

• Frederick Manfred house/Blue Mounds Interpretive Center

• Frederick Manfred house 2

• Frederick Manfred house 3

• Rock Alignment interpretive sign

• Rock Alignment looking East from the sign

• Rock Alignment looking West from the sign

Rex Rundquist

• Colorful layered Sioux Quartzite outcrop

• Quartzite Bison Scratch

Touch the Sky Prairie

All below slide show images copyright 2021 by the respective photographers listed below, used with permission.

Map of our destinations

Jan Null

• The adventurous!

• Touch the Sky information

• Planning the next move

• Prairie vista 1

• Wind and water

• Prairie vista 2

• Prairie vista 3

• Prairie vista 4

• Prairie Blazing Star

• Big Bluestem and Blazing Star

• Prairie Onion

• Prairie Blazing Star

• Returning from the waterfall

Randall D. Williams

• Touch the Sky National Wildlife Refuge unit

• Sioux Quartzite

• Thank you to donors

• Prairie horizon with Sioux Quartzite outcroppings

• Lunch break

• Wild Bergamont

• Prairie Blazing Star

• Prairie waterfall area 1

• Prairie waterfall area 2

• Prairie waterfall area 3

• Prairie waterfall area 4

• Return from the waterfall 1

• Return from the waterfall 2

LHAS Outing Saturday, 10 July 2021

Bob & Phyllis N., Rex & Maria R., Bill & Dotty Z., Kevin & Marla K., John & Sharon P., Chuck J., Donna P., Debbie L., Randy W., Dawn S., Jon N., Leesa M., Anne S., Jan N., and Jerry V. participated in our July outing. It was great to have Kevin as a first time participant and to have Marla and Debbie join us again!

Our outing started under overcast, moved to light mist, heavy mist, rain and included some thunder rumblings. Randy Williams, new members Marla and Kevin Kerr, Chuck Johnson and Donna Popp, John & Sharon Polifka, and Rex & Maria Rundquist started from Sioux City and met Bill & Dotty Zales and Deb Lewison at O’Brien Prairie, east of Hinton, IA, in Plymouth County.

O’Brien Prairie is a small patch of original tallgrass prairie. Bill Z. explained the differences based on soil type and plant species present and contrasted this prairie with the prairie we later observed in the Loess Hills of Broken Kettle Grasslands; few miles between the two but significant differences in soil and flora.

We explored the tallgrass until about 9:00 AM when the mist began and we needed to head west to the Loess Hills and Bill and Dotty’s home where we would meet other Loess Hills Audubon members and guests and reevaluate the weather conditions.

Those waiting for the O’Brien Prairie crew to arrive were busy finding bird species at various areas of the beautiful Broken Kettle Grasslands before joining together for more prairie exploration and birding. We were blessed with reasonable weather until about 11:15 when heavier rain told us it was time to head for the Zale’s guest house for shelter and lunch. The rain let up enough for a little, allowing the exploration of the Zale’s homestead and taking group pictures before enjoying a delicious lunch featuring Dotty’s ham and cheese sliders complemented with other snacks, drinks, and desserts provided by others.

Highlights included 38 plant species found at O’Brien Prairie and 54 species of birds found throughout the day. A good sized herd of Bison was visible on a distant hillside as we explored the prairie at the Aalfs Prairie Preserve sight and the whole herd took off running down the hill as we left the site. Bird highlights included Upland Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue Grosbeak, Belted Kingfisher, Great-crested Flycatcher, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Grasshopper Sparrow, and 2 broods of a dozen each of Wild Turkeys scurrying through a recently baled field. It was a great day enjoying the beauty of our local prairies and the bird species that use them and the surrounding areas. Thanks to all who participated, especially our first time participant Kevin and many thanks also to the Zales for hosting us for a great lunch at their beautiful home on the prairie.

Reported by Jerry V. and Randy W.

7-10-2021 Birds—O’Brien Prairie, Broken Kettle Grasslands  and related areas outing--54 species. Highlights in bold.

7-10-2021 Plants —O’Brien Prairie plant list by Dotty Z. Plant order alphabetical by family, 38 species.

All above slide show images copyright 2021 by the respective photographers listed below, used with permission.

O’Brien Prairie Scouting Trips, 6 July (JanN. and Jerry V.) and 9 July 2021(Randy W.)

• O’Brien Prairie - Randall Williams

• Upland Sandpiper- Jan Null

• Poison Hemlock- Jan Null

• Red-bellied Woodpecker (lower left of image) and Red-headed Woodpecker on same pole- Jan Null

• American Goldfinch - Jan Null

• Dickcissel - Randall Williams

• Red-winged Blackbird– Jan Null

O’Brien Prairie group, 10 July

• Bill Z. - Marla Kerr

• The tour begins - Randall Williams

• Maria R. - Randall Williams

• Yellow Coneflower - Randall Williams

• Prairie exploration - Randall Williams

• Leadplant - Randall Williams

• Fledgling Dickcissel - Randall Williams

• Wrapping up - Randall Williams

• Bill Z. and Canada Milkvetch - Randall Williams

Broken Kettle Grasslands, 10 July

• Wild Turkey adult and babies- Jan Null

• Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Jan Null

• Belted Kingfisher- Jan Null

• Aalfs Preserve at Broken Kettle - Randall Williams

• Thunder in Hills Sign- Jan Null

• Aalfs sign- Jan Null

• Aalfs Overlook with clouds - Jan Null

• Aalfs Overlook signage - Jan Null

• Bison in the mist - Randall Williams

• Purple Coneflower - Jan Null

• Eastern Towhee - Jan Null

• Billl Z’s handiwork - Jan Null

• Birders- Jan Null

• Roadside Birding - Jan Null

 Prairie House at Zales

• Rain in the Lane at Prairie Hills - Jan Null

• Windmill - Randall Williams

• Elderberry bush? - Jan Null

• Hoary Vervain - Jan Null

• House Finch on feeder- Jan Null

• Pond by the barn- Jan Null

• Barn Decor - Marla Kerr

• Barn Decor - Randall Williams

• List update - Marla Kerr

• More rain? - Maria Rundquist

• Gathering inside - Maria Rundquist

• Fellowship - Maria Rundquist

• Food - Maria Rundquist

• Dottie’s Prairie Flower arrangements tablepiece- Jan Null

• People on the Porch - Jan Null

• People on the Porch - Maria Rundquist

• Group Photo - Jan Null

Butcher Road on the way home:

• Blue Grosbeak - Jan Null

• Grasshopper Sparrow – Jan Null

• Goldfinch in thistles - Jan Null

All five videos below copyright 2021 by Jan Null, used with permission.

LHAS Outing Saturday, 5 June 2021

Nine birders, including one first timer, participated in our June outing. It was a warm morning as we met at the Missouri River boat launch in Sioux City’s Chris Larsen Park at 7am. We were welcomed by a colony of Bank Swallows across the river and zooming Chimney Swifts overhead. The forecast was for temps in the ninety’s but we decided to stay with the original plan to visit and explore a new area at Oak Grove State Park/Big Sioux County Park in Sioux County. The 433 acre park includes a Nature Center, picnic shelters, campground and restrooms.

We explored and birded several areas of the park and made a pit stop at their impressive two year old nature center. We recorded a total of 52 species for the day. Highlights included views of a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers zooming around in the trees above us, an Eastern Towhee singing ‘Drink-Your-Tea’, a ‘Weeping’ Great Crested Flycatcher and Brown Thrasher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and American Redstart. The highlight of the day was seeing a singing Northern Parula. After a morning of birding we enjoyed a picnic lunch in one of their open shelters where a good breeze helped keep us cool. Thanks to all who participated, especially our first time participant!

 Reported by Jerry V.!

6-5-2021 Birds—Oak Grove State Park/Big Sioux County Park and related areas outing--52 species. Highlights in bold.

All above images copyright 2021 by Jan Null, used with permission.
1. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2. Eastern Towhee
3. Pit stop at the Nature Center
4. Prairie Woods Nature Center
5. Trumpeter Swan display at the Nature Center

Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Big Weekend

The Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Big Weekend was held on Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and May 2. Participants were requested to record the number of species seen by Iowa county. Loess Hills Audubon members participated with the results shown below.

Cherokee County: Total - 33 species by Kristy M.

Harrison County: Total - 63 species by Jerry V. and Jan N.

Monona County: Total - 60 species by Jerry V. and Jan N.

O’Brien County: Total - 28 species by Kristy M.

Plymouth County: Total - 54 unique species (there is overlap between teams)

• Bill and Dotty Z. - 51 species

• Jon N. and Leesa McN. - 27 species

Woodbury County: Total - 94 unique species (there is overlap among teams)

• Bill H., Jerry P., and Rob T. - 66 species

• Rex and Marie R. - 52 species

• Paul R. - 34 species

• Jerry V. and Jan N. - 21 species

As of 6 May 2021 this is what has been reported statewide: 234 Species with 62 counties reported.

KEY: C = Cherokee; H = Harrison County; M = Monona County; O = O’Brien; P = Plymouth County; W = Woodbury County

Above images copyright 2021 by Rob Towler, used with permission.

• Black-necked Stilts from Brower’s Lake on 1 May 2021

• Four-legged interloper (but cute as a button) from South Ravine Park on 2 May 2021

LHAS Outing Saturday, 10 April 2021

Sixteen birders, including one first time participant, participated in our April outing. It was a cool, cloudy, breezy morning at 46 degrees but made it to the mid 50’s later in the day. Stops included Brower’s Lake, New Lake, Brown’s Lake, Snyder’s Bend, Sandhill Lake, Badger Lake, Owego Wetlands, the ‘Square’, and related areas.

Some of the surprises included 3 Cattle Egrets foraging near the parking lot as we left Snyder’s Bend (plus 1 more lone individual spotted at Owego later in the day), 18 Great Egrets at Badger Lake, and perhaps the highlight of the day was a lone Black-crowned Night-Heron posing in the cattails at the ‘Square’. We recorded a total of 63 species for the day. Other highlights included Great-tailed Grackle, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Spotted Towhee, an Osprey on nest south of Sloan, and a pair of Trumpeter Swans spotted by one couple on their way to lunch. Thanks to all who participated, especially our first time participant!

 Reported by Jerry V.!

4-10-2021 Birds— Brower’s Lake, New Lake, Brown’s Lake, Snyder Bend, Sandhill Lake, Badger Lake, Owego, The Square, and related areas. Total: 63 species. Highlights in bold.

All slide show images copyright 2021 by the respective photographers, as below. All images used with permission.

William F. Huser

• Black-crowned Night-Heron

• Black-crowned Night-Heron

Jan Null

• Black-crowned Night-Heron

• Great-tailed Grackle

• Northern Pintail

• Ring-billed Gull

• Lesser Yellowlegs

• Birders at the Bend

• Time for lunch?

• Osprey nest

• Cattle Egrets

• Birders beyond belief!

• Pelican in the air

• Yellow-headed Blackbird

Rob Towler

• Cattle Egret

• Cattle Egret

Randall D. Williams

• Brower’s Lake stop

• New Lake stop

• Brown’s Lake stop

• Lesser Yellowlegs

• Cattle Egret

• Waterfowl variety

• Pelican pod

• Hooded Mergansers

LHAS Outing Saturday, 13 March 2021

Thirteen birders, including one first time participant, participated in our March outing. Our plan was to take advantage of the spring waterfowl migration that started in early March. Goals were to see numerous species of ducks and geese plus additional water birds such as grebes, gulls, coots and waders. Thousands of geese had been migrating through our area and using the many oxbows south of Sioux City so that was our destination.

Our first stops included Brower’s Lake, New Lake, Brown’s Lake, Snyder’s Bend and Sandhill Lake where most of the waterfowl had already decided to head north, but there were a large number of Bald Eagles still present at Snyder’s. So we decided to head further south to Badger Lake where we were rewarded with thousands of Greater White-fronted and Snow Geese. Numbers also included Canada, Cackling, and Ross’s Geese. Numerous Bald Eagles were also found here including one on a large nest.

We recorded a total of 56 species for the day. Highlights included over 120 Bald Eagles, 21 species of waterfowl (which included 5 species of geese), American White Pelican, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Cooper’s Hawk, and 3 Trumpeter Swans found by one party at Blue Lake. Thanks to all who participated, especially our first time participant!

3-13-2021 Birds—Brower’s Lake, New Lake, Brown’s Lake, Snyder’s Bend, Badger Lake and related areas.(This list includes species from Blue Lake, Owego Wetlands, and Kramper Lake reported by birders on their way home from outing). Total of 56 species.

All below images copyright 2021 by Randall D. Williams, used with permission.

LHAS Outing Saturday, 13 February 2021

Twenty Chapter members counted birds during our February outing for National Audubon’s Great Backyard Bird Count. In all, over 16 sites in four states were surveyed and found to contain 101 species and over 3500 individuals…..WHAT???? 101 species??? 4 states ??? Do you want the rest of the story? Have a look at: